LISTENING TO PRISONERS' CHILDREN: A TOOLKIT

It's packed with useful tools to help practitioners listen to children, to find out what they like and dislike about the services they use.

The contents include:

• evaluation tools
• practical suggestions e.g. comment graffiti walls, ideas trees, storytelling
• methods of recording your findings
• do's and don'ts
• flashcards to use with children
• case studies - how other practitioners have consulted prisoners' children

Larissa Bloedorn, pact play co-ordinator at HMPs Brixton, Feltham and Wandsworth says: "One of the things I like best about the tool kit is the way that it empowers children. The situation they face – having a parent or loved one in prison – is worrying and unsettling, and they’re powerless to change it. It’s an important part of our job to give them an opportunity to be heard, and know that their thoughts and ideas are valuable and needed.

As pointed out in the toolkit, ‘listening to children’ is an ongoing and ‘everyday’ activity. The resources and material we provide to support this includes opportunities for children to express themselves creatively through art, dress up, story telling and imaginary play."

The toolkit was generously funded by BBC Children in Need, who sent Pudsey Bear to Wandsworth Prison to help launch the toolkit. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, praised it as "good practice that should become common practice".

To purchase a toolkit for £25, click here to download an order form, or send an e-mail to sales@prisonadvice.org.uk

For more information, contact Alex Wakefield on 020 7735 9535.

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